Thursday, October 02, 2008

That Thing About Low Expectations

I expected nothing but chaos and tears and sleep deprivation and the baby blues and the toddler jealousy. And, the reality is far better than that (so far, please don't curse me now). I'm thoroughly enjoying every single second of Andrew's tiny newborn phase. I don't care when he cries at night. I don't care that he wakes up so often. I don't mind having a baby on my arm or shoulder for hours upon hours. In fact, I love it. I am a baby person. Not so much a toddler or child person, but DEFINITELY a baby person. I feel like he's growing up so quickly already! We don't plan to have any more children so I'm trying to soak in every moment. The second time around is so much better for me. I am so. much. more. relaxed. Of course, that really isn't saying much seeing as how I was as tightly wound as was humanly possible with the first baby. Poor Becca. She was born to the most neurotic freak of a mother. Andrew got a much calmer, better version.I remember with Becca I felt SO tired. I couldn't believe how tired I was. I just don't feel that way this time. I guess I got used to being tired and got used to being awakened at night. And the miserable pregnancy insomnia might have gotten me prepared as well. I feel tired, sure, but nothing like I did with the first baby. Is this normal? I'm glad about it, but surprised by it.

Now, this is all being said while my mom is still here. She is leaving tomorrow, though, and you'll probably find my next post to be a big tearful, sobbing rant about how horrible it all is and how I can't do it. But, for today, I feel good.

11 comments:

Tracy said...

Soak it up. They are surely not little for long.

Unknown said...

I remember my father telling me to relax and not worry so much before Lila was born. I was always fretting and speculating about how hard my life was about to get and he tried so hard to explain that it wasn't going to be that bad (I'm one of four girls). Sure enough, as soon as Lila was born, everything kicked back in, easier than before and I even had SO much more energy. It was great! I'm a baby person too. I don't like the toddler stage (though, Lila is a different, easier toddler than Olivia was at this age - so we'll see how she continues to develop) and would pop out a baby every year (seriously, I would) if I had the patience for toddlers - I despise toddler antics and have little to no patience for/them, despite knowing the reasons for them, etc. Toddler antics is why baby number 3 was put off. If we had stuck to our plan, baby number three (final baby) would have been born around Sept.

Anyway, your son is just adorable and I'm glad to hear things are going well. Sad to hear your mom is leaving - but, you'll get right into a great routine (after a crying fit and panic attack) and before you know it, he'll be walking and talking.

Lysandra said...

Oh crap...you're making me want a little baby...I will stick around and see if 2 start to drive you crazy.

Erin said...

GO WITH IT, girl. I loved Emmett's babyhood in a way I never could with Calum. So much of it-- I think-- just has to do with being comfortable as a mom. You're doing great. And OMG, that baby is GORGEOUS.

Jen said...

You sound so RELAXED. So at PEACE. So entirely HAPPY. You sound better than I do and my youngest is 20mo! I don't know how you are doing it, but yay for you!

Also, LOVE those baby pics. He is so so so cute.

Joel and Angela said...

I LOVE BABIES TOO! Is that surprising?? And seriously, like Tracy said..SOAK IT UP! They are out of that newborn phase quickly! But I really am enjoying Ellen too. I think with Katheryn, I was just so stressed out about everything being like the books say they should that I wasn't as relaxed. Now is a whole lot different than 6 years ago!

Laura said...

I really hope you still think it's not-that-bad once your mom leaves and you are thrown into reality world. It was hard on me but actually easier than I thought it would be. Good luck. I'm sure you'll be fine. Just try to remember to be calm and that Becca is still just a toddler.

Angie said...

This sounds pretty similar to my post shortly after Christopher's birth. I was really freaked out before he was born, that I would not be able to handle two, that both would need me every second. How was I going to do that? And, it was much easier than I remembered with Ashlyn. Of course, both of us were facing a deployment when our first children were born, so that doesn't help. I also felt much worse after Ashlyn was born. But yeah, much more relaxed with the second. And, I don't think you can ever soak it all in. I'm fairly certain that we are done, but part of me already misses the tiny baby stuff. And I wonder, never again? I guess I will just have to hold other people's babies, and then happily hand them back when they get cranky or poopy or whatever (the way I did before children.)

Kristi said...

My friend said something similiar when she had her second. She said that she was so much more relaxed and enjoyed it a lot more.

He's just the cutest litte thing! I love that first picture of him!

Swistle said...

ZO.M.G. He is SO CUTE. WANT HIM.

Anonymous said...

Didn't we tell you that it would get easier the second time around? Glad that you are feeling more relaxed. That may not last, but remember that humans have been raising their replacements for thousands of years and somehow most moms survive the experience.
Love,
(Great) Aunt Linda
P.S. The baby quilt is almost done. You can swaddle him in it and maybe he'll feel secure enough to fall asleep.